As always, I'm rooting for Germany. This is the year! But I also feel some residual patriotic fervour for Belgium, since they made the cut this time 'round (and are actually pretty good). You, MOTL?

I hope Croatia wins this afternoon. Or ties.

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RIP Ari

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quote:

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Originally posted by Goaswerfraiejen:
As always, I'm rooting for Germany. This is the year! But I also feel some residual patriotic fervour for Belgium, since they made the cut this time 'round (and are actually pretty good). You, MOTL?

I hope Croatia wins this afternoon. Or ties.

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Oh man, germany? Best not come to Holland then . As always, I hope the germans exit the first round. But they have one of the easiest poules (as usual) and will probably make it far as they are in the lower half of the schedule with less high-ranked opponents in them. Nevertheless, they always have a good team and are always a contender.

I support Belgium partially, I think their inexperience will be their downfall. Maybe in 4 years, but we'll see. I hope they do well, they have a lot of good players but I don't feel it's a real 'team' yet.

Croatia got robbed last night. It wasn't a penalty, the ref should have allowed the 2nd goal by Croatia (it wasn't a foul by the attacker) and Neymar should have gotten a red card for elbowing someone before his first goal. Thank you Mr. Blatter for being corrupt and stubborn and not allowing video to help the referees make the correct decision. Damned fossil.

And tonight it's Spain - Netherlands! Odds are against us, but I have us up at 1-3 victory! Go Dutchies!

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My favourites for the day: Mexico, Netherlands. As for Chile/Australia... Iunno. Not a clue.

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RIP Ari

quote:

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Originally posted by Goaswerfraiejen:
On replay, the penalty against Croatia (that led to Brazil's second goal) might have been right, but it's tenuous. As for disallowing Croatia's second goal... wtf? I can't really find the rationale for that one. And shaking Neymar's hand makes it seem a little biased, too.

My favourites for the day: Mexico, Netherlands. As for Chile/Australia... Iunno. Not a clue.

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Definately not. You can always tell by their body movement. And, if you fall unexpectedly you cannot throw your hands in the air while falling down and look at the referee at the same time. Sure the defenders' hand was there but he didn't pull or anything. It was dumb of the defender but it sure was not a penalty.

Exactly. I don't think Neymar is all that great as everyone says he is.

I think Mexico will draw vs Cameroon. The Mexicans aren't as strong as they used to be, but I can see them winning. Spain is favorite to win tonight, but I hope we can show them a thing or 2, go Dutchies!

Chili by far. They are a very good team, both physical and technical. Being in the shadow of Brasil and Argentina (and maybe Uruguay lately) you don't hear much from them, but they are always near/at the top of the list list when playing for the South-American championship. Many good players there. The Aussies are a mostly physical team without technique, but they are a tough nut to crack for many team, including the Dutch squad (having never won against them in 2 meetings). We can't deal with teams that play pressure for 90 minutes and being physical.
That in mind, our best chance is tonight. Spain plays like the Dutch and that is what we play against at best.

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I've been up to the college level and watched a lot of semi-pro type games, and while this is another level, I definitely don't think he was pushed down by the defender, or otherwise forced to lose control of the ball.

I love soccer, but watching these guy dive is just blasphemous imo.

/End rant

Half time Spain - Netherlands now, 1-1! Again a penalty awarded to Spain that wasn't a penalty. Costa stood on the ankle of De Vrij and he then fell, it was not a penalty. Thank you Blatter for getting us video referral..oh wait..

Justice got served as Van Persie equalized with an amazing diving header just before half time.

Come on Geuzen!

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I tried watching the Netherlands/Spain game so far today(bc I want the Netherlands to win) and after that awarded PK on a truly AWFUL call I had to shut it off.....thanks for the update Aether, but I'm done watching. I've watched 3 games (Brazil, Mexico, and part of this Dutch/Spain game) and I want to puke at how bad the refs are, and at the highest level to boot.

Throw in the corruption and I'm done w soccer.

(And yes, that penalty was BS. I'd be upset over it, except...)

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"I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think they will sing to me." -T.S. Eliot

RIP Ari

THAT WAS KARMA. **** SPAIN!

quote:

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Originally posted by CaribooLegend:
Where the hell was Van Persie all season in the BPL? Sheesh.

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I'm actually not a fan of him. He's a great technical player but I prefer Huntelaar over him in the point, with Van Persie in a free role around him.

quote:

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Originally posted by daner:
I can't stand watching this game anymore.....when I was growing up I played, and watching it now is just a joke. Guys take SO MANY DIVES. The refs are a joke. You can't make me believe otherwise that the refs gave that game to Brazil yesterday.....FIFA is a goddamn joke.

I tried watching the Netherlands/Spain game so far today(bc I want the Netherlands to win) and after that awarded PK on a truly AWFUL call I had to shut it off.....thanks for the update Aether, but I'm done watching. I've watched 3 games (Brazil, Mexico, and part of this Dutch/Spain game) and I want to puke at how bad the refs are, and at the highest level to boot.

Throw in the corruption and I'm done w soccer.

EDIT: Take that back....I'm done with World Cup soccer...I'll still watch the EPL. GO MAN CITY!

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watch the Italy-England game for some good refereeing (Dutch referee ).

Boo Man City! Go Liverpool (mainly because Suarez plays there)

quote:

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Originally posted by Goaswerfraiejen:
WOW. I was hoping for the Netherlands to win, but HOLY POOP! Spain just collapsed!

(And yes, that penalty was BS. I'd be upset over it, except...)

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OLÉ!!!!

quote:

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Originally posted by daner:
My friend knows I like the Dutch and texted me if I was watching the game. I explained to him why I shut it off after the awarded PK...he told me I better turn it back on.

THAT WAS KARMA. **** SPAIN!

....And that miserable puke Torres DIVING AGAIN! Got to see that just adds to my undying hatred towards him. Yet, that screw up where he basically had a free goal but tried to get too fancy and the defender got back and stole it off him....that made my day

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yeah I already counted that one. Spain is going to have a hard time making it into the 2nd round now. Chile will be smelling blood and don't want to gamble on the game vs us to make it.

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Pity.

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RIP Ari

I don't like the Greeks so I'm happy they lost.

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quote:

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Originally posted by wayne:
The penalty awarded to Spain was just as bad, except no one talks about it because Holland hammered Spain after that. The challenge would not have hit Costa but he skillfully stuck his leg out to ensure there was contact.

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Sadly, that's how a pro does it.

Yesterday a primer, first goal awarded by Goal Line Technology! Yay for tech!

Tonight it's US - Ghana. I believe you still have a score to settle with them?

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quote:

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Originally posted by AEther Storm:
Sadly, that's how a pro does it.

Yesterday a primer, first goal awarded by Goal Line Technology! Yay for tech!

Tonight it's US - Ghana. I believe you still have a score to settle with them?

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But it looked so questionable on camera.

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"Message to women worldwide: Girls....we're stupid. We don't like games. We don't know games. We can't read minds. Say it like you mean or STFU." -rockondon

regarding the penalty, I immediately saw there was something fishy, but it took the instant replay to show what exactly happened. You can usually see when someone is brought down if it's a penalty kick or not. 90% giveaway is the way the fall and when they yell/scream.

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quote:

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Originally posted by AEther Storm:

Yesterday a primer, first goal awarded by Goal Line Technology! Yay for tech!

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Honestly, I don't really get the point of the GLT. It seems one would be better off with allowing replays (which, incidentally, do clearly show the ball crossing into the net).

Also... wtf was up with Ecuador moving the ball outside the zone marked off by the ref, and why didn't they get called on it? (Well, presumably because the ref didn't see, but...)

And yay. I didn't expect Portugal to collapse like that. Actually, I was hoping for a good game (even though Schweinsteiger and Lahm were out... ). My vote for man of the match goes to Pepe. He had the biggest impact on the game.

__________________
"I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think they will sing to me." -T.S. Eliot

RIP Ari

quote:

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Originally posted by harbingerofthevoid:
I really hope the USMNT didn't watch that Germany vs. Portugal game. They still need to beat Ghana in 4 hours.

But man, Portugal looked like arse.

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Portugal IS arse (note my 'dislike' for Portugal). They barely qualified against Sweden (who presumably have the best-looking female fans in the world of whom we are now devoid) and their team is just Ronaldo. The rest are so-so players. Not bad, but not great. Germany played like they always do. Steady as a rock. They are always hard to beat. Always.

quote:

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Originally posted by Goaswerfraiejen:

Honestly, I don't really get the point of the GLT. It seems one would be better off with allowing replays (which, incidentally, do clearly show the ball crossing into the net).

Also... wtf was up with Ecuador moving the ball outside the zone marked off by the ref, and why didn't they get called on it? (Well, presumably because the ref didn't see, but...)

And yay. I didn't expect Portugal to collapse like that. Actually, I was hoping for a good game (even though Schweinsteiger and Lahm were out... ). My vote for man of the match goes to Pepe. He had the biggest impact on the game.

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Both should be allowed. It sometimes happens that you can't see it, like this one. It's like the Hawk Eye system with tennis, you can't always see it in the replay. Especially on hard court.

Replays are for fouls, offsides, etcetera. GLT is just another means for the sport to be more fair. The more aids we have to keep a fair sport, the better. But GLT and replays will fill the gap.

Thought I have the USA for a tie tonight, I'm not familiair with their team, I still hope they win. Tomorrow Belgium is up! Very interesting to see if they can deal with the pressure.

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EDIT: And I've always thought Portugal wasn't that good. They haven't developed any talent I know of since the last World Cup. So what was everyone expecting? Ronaldo to carry an entire team of average blokes to the gold trophy?? I'm pretty sure Messi will do that before he does.

__________________
"Message to women worldwide: Girls....we're stupid. We don't like games. We don't know games. We can't read minds. Say it like you mean or STFU." -rockondon

__________________
"Message to women worldwide: Girls....we're stupid. We don't like games. We don't know games. We can't read minds. Say it like you mean or STFU." -rockondon